Mazes and Mummies: A Vampire Knitting Club paranormal cozy mystery

Vampire Knitting Club #16

by Nancy Warren

A cryptic warning sends Lucy Swift and her vampire husband, Rafe Crosyer, to Egypt, where an ancient papyrus, a luxury Nile cruise and Lucy's archaeologist parents are about to collide.

What begins as a simple mission to authenticate a priceless manuscript soon turns deadly and someone aboard the ship seems determined to reunite the scattered pieces of a secret that has remained buried for three thousand years.
With suspicious Egyptologists, deadly "accidents," and an ancient evil stirring beneath the sands, Lucy and Rafe must unravel a mystery that stretches from the tombs of the pharaohs to the glittering decks of their floating hotel.

Because in Egypt, some curses are real.

And some mysteries should stay wrapped up forever.

Genres: Cozy Mystery, Mystery, Paranormal

266 pages, Paperback

Published November 4, 2026

About the author

Nancy Warren is the USA Today bestselling author of more than 100 novels.

She’s known for writing funny, sexy and suspenseful tales. She’s an avid hiker, animal lover, wine drinker and chocolate fiend. Favorite moments in her career include being featured on the front page of the New York Times, being the answer to a crossword puzzle clue in Canada’s National Post newspaper and being a finalist three times in the Rita awards. She has won the Reviewer’s Choice Award from Romantic Times magazine.

Get a free short story when you sign up for Nancy's newsletter at www.NancyWarrenAuthor.com or join Nancy in her private Facebook group to talk about books, knitting, pets & life.
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Reviews

[Barb Foerst · Rating 4.75 out of 5]

I was so excited to read a new book in the Vampire Knitting Club series. It’s been a while since I’ve enjoyed reading this series. Meri has contacted Lucy through the mirror to warn her that her parents may be in danger. Lucy’s parents are archaeologists and are on a dig in Egypt. Oddly Rafe has been asked to review some pieces of a manuscript. So the two end up on a trip to Cairo. I enjoyed the mystery and visiting Egypt. I was excited to be with Lucy and Rafe again. Thoroughly enjoyable.

[Tracy Smyth · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

Another great read in this series

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much to the author for providing an advance reader copy (ARC) of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Mazes and Mummies is book 16 in the Vampire Knitting Club series, and while I haven’t read the first 15 books—or anything else by Nancy Warren before this—I was completely drawn in from the start.

The story follows Lucy Swift and her vampire husband, Rafe, as a trip to Egypt to check on her archaeologist parents turns into a high-stakes adventure. I instantly grew to love the FMC, Lucy; she is a fantastic protagonist to follow through all the chaos.
One of my favorite things about the book was how fast-paced it is. I ended up reading it in one single sitting because I simply couldn't put it down!

The murder mystery itself delivered everything I was hoping for: a classic, cozy whodunit full of rich historical Egyptian details and clever twists.

While you can definitely enjoy this as a standalone (as I did!), I think I would have appreciated the character dynamics even more if I had read the previous books in the series. Needless to say, I'm now eager to go back and check out the earlier adventures!

[Miss W Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mazes and Mummies is Book 16 in the Vampire Knitting Club series by Nancy Warren.
I love this series, so MUCH and was so excited to read a new story.

I really enjoyed the story as Lucy and her husband Rafe travel to Egypt after receiving a message from her friend Meri that her parents are in danger. At the same time Rafe is called to Cairo as well to authenticate a manuscript.

This was an incredible mystery. The story was so interesting. All the history and the details of Egypt were incredibly well researched.

The story spans from Oxford to Cairo with a cruise along the Nile.

The descriptions were so rich and filled with such incredible detail, I felt like I was there in Cairo.

Multiple mysteries, seamlessly integrated with twists and turns that kept me guessing as I tried to put the clues together.

I do love Lucy and Rafe's romance and was so happy to see William, Rafe's assistant on the trip.

Highly recommend this incredible mystery and be sure to check out all the books in the series for all the fun adventures that came before!!!!

[Andrea Stoeckel · Rating 5 out of 5]

“So, as long as somebody says your name, you aren't completely gone?” “That's simplifying an extremely complex religious idea, but there's something rather beautiful in it, isn't there?”

‘My ren[ name] shall pass from vessel to vessel.’”

Lucy and Rafe are off on another mystery/adventure this time interweaving a project for Rafe with a chance for Lucy to see her parents. However, evil is intertwined that could become so great that everyone and everything Lucy knows will be gone. Can she stop it? Will Rafe be able to help? Will good triumph?

I haven't been in a Vampire Knitting Club book in years, not since Lucy and Rafe were married so I am so happy to have a bit of closure. And to see my "old friends" still working towards destroying evil is a grand thing. Thank you all for finding your way back into my life. Highly Recommended 5/5

[Paula · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

How wonderful that there is another A Vampire Knitting Club paranormal cozy mystery. Mazes and Mummies is book number 16 in this long running series by Nancy Warren. Don’t let the vampire in the series title scare you if you are new to this series. These are cozy vampires, knitting vampires except for Rafe. In this addition Lucy Swift and her vampire husband, Rafe Crosyer are off to solve a mystery in Egypt. What an adventure they have with a curse, Lucy’s archaeologist parents and an important manuscript. All of these different element to the story fit together beautifully by the time the mystery is solved. I loved taking a trip down the Nile with Lucy and Rafe. Hope that they are more exotic travels in their future. 4.5 Stars

[Catherine Stratman · Rating 5 out of 5]

So happy to be back with the Vampire Knitting Club!

I thought this was the best in series so far. Lucy receives a cryptic message from her friend Meri in Egypt that her parents are in danger. At the same time, Rafe is needed in Egypt to authenticate an ancient manuscript. Coincidence? Throw in an "accident" or two, a few thousand-year-old curse, and a body or two and I think not. And just the logistics of a vampire cruising down the Nile! And a little help from the Vampire Knitting Club! Interesting history, great location, and I couldn't put the book down.

I received an ARC. This is my honest review.

[Aracely · Rating 5 out of 5]

Worth the wait

I have been a huge fan of this series and I believe this book has been the best of them all. I love the Oxford setting but Egypt was fascinating. It was great to revisit Meri's story where it all started and now the curse finally ended. I was wanting to see Lucy and Rafe go in adventures as a couple as I was disappointed that in the last book he barely appeared. I understand that it was to develop Jennifer and the Cornwall spin off but he is a vital part of Lucy's story. I hope that this pattern of the two of them against the world continues. I can't wait for the next installment!

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lucy and Rafe in Egypt on a cruise down the Nile - such a fascinating setting.

Except for the danger for Rafe of unrelenting sun exposure.

And the menacing presence of an evil magician who would burn down everything in a quest for continued existence.

And the evil magician’s focus on Lucy and her loved ones.

And a murder.

And another murder.

Hmmm…still a fascinating setting and absolutely…still a wonderful read…recommended!

Although it was my pleasure to receive this ARC from the author, it was completely my choice to share my honest review.

[Jaime · Rating 4.75 out of 5]

Review of an advanced copy from the Author

Amazing! From the first page to the last word, I was hooked. It’s been a while since I last read about Lucy and Rafe’s adventures, and this did not disappoint. An adventure down the Nile, visits by some of the series’ beloved characters, twists, turns, and some dead bodies! This book reignited my love for this series with its cozy paranormal flare with some mystery and action that had me quickly turning the pages.

Thank you, Nancy Warren, for another great story!

[Lcr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mazes and Mummies is the latest book in Nancy Warren’s wonderful ‘Vampire Knitting Club’ series.

A cryptic magical message results in Lucy and Rafe travelling to Egypt without really knowing why. This is slightly different from other books in this series as it is not set on Oxford and I did miss the input from the Vampire Knitting club. It is however wonderful book with just enough historical detail to make it interesting without distracting from the story.
This book is a delightful addition to this series and I really enjoyed it. I definitely recommend this book, series and author.

[Annette · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the type of story that will keep you up reading all night long. Not a dull moment. It's so intense, a bit edgy, informative and interesting that I was fully engaged from start to finish. I think this is one of the best yet in this series, looking forward to what comes next and to me is the perfect example of my expectations for this genre. I received a free advance copy from the author and voluntary chose to share my thoughts/opinion.

[Mary Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of advanced copy from author.

Thank you, Nancy Warren for letting me read your newest adventure of the Vampire Knitting Club series. It was a fun adventure that tied so many characters together. I don’t want to give too much away, but if you love the series already you will fall in love with it again. I truly enjoyed it. Bravo!

[Ilene G> · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good series.

Lucy and Rafe go to Egypt, so Rafe can authenticate if a papyrus is genuine. They also have an evil spirit and murders to contend with. As they face danger , they enjoy seeing the wonders of Egypt. Lucy's parents are there at an archeological sight. There are twists . The side characters are good. I like this series.

[Beverly Button]

Mazes and Mummies, Oh My!

This one kept me flipping pages, utterly fascinated. I never knew what would happen next! It was fun seeing Rafe and Lucy working together to solve a dangerous mystery.

[Mrs C E M Hicks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mazes and Mummies

Loved it. Action & adventure from the first page to the last. Great to read again about Lucy & Rafe & their adventures in Egypt, & I hope another ‘spellbinding’ adventure.

[debb · Rating 5 out of 5]

ORDER DINNER OUT! Lucy and Rafe are back! This is my favorite cozy mystery series. I have added the entire series to the public library where I work, and will be introducing the book club to cozy mysteries with Lucy and Rafe's help.

[Ms A A Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

great Read, I loved It

I really enjoyed this although I enjoy the stories set in Oxford it was great to have a different setting. I hope Nancy Warren writes some more Lucy and Rafe books with my favourite characters, Nan and Sylvia and William.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Something different

This story takes place in Egypt, which is a big change for the Vampire Knitting Club books. I think I prefer it when the stories are in Oxford, but this one was interesting and a good mystery.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great adventure

Lucy and Rafe make a great team while solving multiple murders and stopping an ancient evil. I love all the characters. Wish I had a knitting group like theirs. Enjoy!

[Carmel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I waited a long time for this. Almost felt like ahistorical dig.

Once more Lucy and her co shorts save the day . Reading these books makes me happy and I so want to go to Egypt

[Karol L. Hosking · Rating 5 out of 5]

Escape to a another time and place

Brought back memories of a trip down the Nile in 2019. Always loved Egyptian history. Fast paced And a great escape.

[Debs Bradders · Rating 5 out of 5]

That was great fun. Agatha Christie eat your heart out. I enjoyed the intrigue and did not expect the reveal at the end. Still love Rafe!

[Lynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lucy, a witch is married to Rafe, a vampire. When an Egyptian witch friend contacts Lucy to say her father is in danger at his dig outside Aswan, Lucy and Rafe travel to Cairo to check things out.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

maxes and mummies

Another great book in this dried. It quickly captures you and keeps you on the edge of your seat waiting to see what happens next. I couldn’t put it down..

[Melinda · Rating 2 out of 5]

I DID NOT RECEIVE AN ADVANCE COPY.

This was not a Vampire Knitting Club book. Sad.

[Bev King · Rating 5 out of 5]

The series gets better and better

Loved it, more intriguing and adventurous! If you haven’t read all the books you’ve missing a real treat, worth it.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always fun

I love reading the adventures of Lucy and friends!! I get a dose of witch, vampire, and Knitting, all in one book!!

[Carla Eacret · Rating 5 out of 5]

Totally enjoyable as always! Hopefully Nancy Warren will continue to write more stories of Lucy and Rafe, they definitely have more adventures waiting for them!!! Love, love, love ❤️